To　avoid　singular　problem　and　improve　the　performance　of　neural　network,　a　weight　initialization　method　for　echo　state　network(WIESN)　is　proposed.　With　Cauchy　inequality　and　linear　algebra,　the　range　of　optimal　initial　weights,　which　is　related　to　input　dimension,　reservoir　dimension,　input　variables　and　reservoir　state,　is　determined.　The　proposed　method　ensures　that　the　outputs　of　neurons　are　in　the　active　region.　Simulation　results　show　that　the　accuracy　and　training　time　of　the　proposed　method　is　better　than　learning　with　random　initialization.　In　addition,　the　time　for　weight　initialization　process　is　negligible　comparing　with　the　training　process.　©　2018,　Editorial　Office　of　Control　and　Decision.　All　right　reserved.